Improving Your Food Quality

Your big day is coming up, and your waterfront venue is booked. Next on your "to-do" list is planning a menu that will complement your natural surroundings while also tempting your guests' taste buds. The good news is that you'll have plenty of food options from which to choose, no matter what your budget is.

If you're looking for a serene place to say "I do" amongst your loved ones and nature, you can't go wrong with a waterfront venue, such as a lodge on a lake or a sandy ocean beach. While many beachfront venues offer both indoor and outdoor event space, others provide only outside accommodations. In those cases, you may need to adjust your menu as well as rent a canopy or event tent for protection from the natural elements, including the sun and insects. 

Whether you make the food yourself, have the event catered, or hire a local restaurant, use your natural surroundings as menu inspiration. You can't go wrong with seafood, for instance, which will work for both daytime and evening weddings.

Following are some menu ideas for your waterfront wedding:

1. Seafood Buffet 

Not only will a seafood buffet pay homage to your waterfront venue location, but guests can also fill their plates with their favorite foods as they mix and mingle. Start by setting up long tables, and having friends and loved ones move down them, choosing their preferred foods as they go.

Some seafood buffet options include grilled shrimp and scallop skewers, individually sized cups of shrimp cocktail, shrimp scampi, grilled salmon over rice pilaf, and even soups such as oyster stew. Be sure to include some non-seafood options for guests who may be allergic to it, and also the vegetarians and vegans in the crowd.

You can accompany the seafood buffet with a salad bar filled with fresh vegetables, homemade dressings, and pasta salad. Coleslaw and any type of potato also make tasty seafood side dishes. 

2. Seafood Tacos

Not only will tacos please guests of all ages, but they are also ideal for casual waterfront settings. Again, guests can assemble their own plates as the meal is easy to customize with a variety of fresh ingredients and toppings.

Start with any type of seafood you'd like, such as grilled or sauteed shrimp, or fried fish. Provide both hard shells and tortillas, as well as a mix of classic and gourmet toppings. Some ideas include shredded lettuce and cabbage, diced tomatoes, radishes, black olives, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream. 

You can also include traditional taco meat as well as refried beans for guests who don't eat seafood. Round out the meal with chips and salsa, Mexican rice, and black beans.